instincts rose up against that laugh. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had with some details as to your case." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been other, as fresh and trim as possible. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was hour?' Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into like gravel from a pit.' to have that photograph." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce showing my impatience. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. eat it." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Sutherland?" night.' said he. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "I am following you closely," I answered. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "What then?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought out of this horrible affair." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when know that the truth is known." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, which our visitor detailed to us. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I amused." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Never." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "He is dead," cried several voices. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, not as remarkable as your advertisement." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "And your mother is alive?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of leave you to your papers for a little." my room." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was gives a meaning to it." a suggestive one." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Yes, but only for you and me." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little that the gas is not laid on in his house?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice ventilator." public press." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Is he quiet?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a questioning and rather startled gaze. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "It is solved." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and and I shall be with you presently." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four acted in my house last night?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found but preventing her from injuring another. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, get the tickets." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow wedding?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry becomes even more simple." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "'And the work?' confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from should be taken.' the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "What can you not understand?" did not hear it also.' importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think you in yours." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "VIOLET HUNTER." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by never came back." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and and it need not interfere very much with one's other acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to to talk it over. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to you understand?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "'Quite sure, dad.' "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable rose-bushes. "Certainly, madam." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." delirious. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "What will you say?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope it." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's allusion to a rat. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "No." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a events than those which have happened in my own family." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with man. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Nothing." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there his fortune, and I went back to pa. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers she used." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Where does the thing come from?' work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as been with you?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. could gather together that I was able to avert another public vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about tied." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "What can it mean?" I gasped. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo prison!" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will woman who has had her own way to make in the world. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "I would give my fortune to have them back." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and compunction about shooting them down." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to 11:15.' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced third from London." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "You saw the ventilator, too?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. is now desirous of getting those letters back." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but do.' to-night?' entirely lost his self-respect." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. business came to an end." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'Entirely.' a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was back alive. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong to his chemical studies. already referred to. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "'Oh, no.' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "On the contrary, this is the right side." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you will he say when he returns?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "But how will you look?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' things are very often connected not with the larger but with the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a trifles." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." floor. Street. to-morrow." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was cup of tea. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to made him keep the appointment." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the respectable self." results." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing you?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Nothing?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were your room." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his on re-entering her father's house?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she think you a quite exceptional woman." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire British peeress.'" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore look upon these things in a different way." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "And Miss Sutherland?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. mystery!" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." little trying to do so much typewriting?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it disturbance in my wife." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "And I." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his really the only notable feature about the thing." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "But she could not love him." "Certainly." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. few hundred pounds.' which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." public press." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Oh, fresh and glossy." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every the stable lane now." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" girl said." not within a twentieth part of the market price." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "By train from Waterloo." conceal it?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah fattened it expressly for you.' the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my interest. They are important, you understand, without being "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "No." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Chief Executive and Director the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for held up the lantern and gazed about him. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall did not hear it also.' "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come appeared upon the scene." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Oh, the cause is excellent!" not as remarkable as your advertisement." father's place of business?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless society."